Finally! After a lot of research, reading, writing, and hard work, I finally achieved my Doctorate as a Doctor of Holistic Ministry! My official title now is Rev.Dr. (though I still prefer to be called Karen). Writing my dissertation has been an adventure, that’s for sure. But what a wonderful learning experience! Holistic Ministry has to do with Mind, Body, and Spirit. You hear the terms bandied about individually and separately, but it takes a balance of the three to be a healthy whole. This is termed ‘holistic health.’ An imbalance in one affects an imbalance in another. Even though it seems these are three separate entities, they actually work together as one. The mind is a very fragile and yet strong entity. It can get people through the most horrendous circumstances, and yet it can snap in an instant. The jury is still out as to where the mind is actually located. Normal thinking says that the mind is in the brain itself. Yet new scientific findings say it is quite possible that the mind and memory are in our cells throughout our whole body. This may be why some organ donor recipients may have memories from the donor. The mind is also associated with our thinking processes, feelings, emotions, and memories. The body is another amazing entity. It, too, has the strength to survive the greatest traumas and has the power for self-healing, and yet it can be consumed with the most debilitating of illnesses and diseases. The Spirit is an entity that is really indescribable as no one really knows exactly what the Spirit is or what form it takes. We all have our beliefs as to what the Spirit is or isn’t, but if you ask a hundred people, you may get a hundred different answers. Some will use the name God, Universe, Spirit, Allah, Nature, and thousands of other labels. Like the mind, there is no proof of it; you can’t see it, and you can’t put it under a microscope. We only have our beliefs based upon our experiences of it to describe it. Even then, we humans are limited in our terminology when it comes to describing Spirit/God. The science of holistic well-being is constantly changing. I think it is wonderful that whole ministries are being developed around it. Most people in ministries will specialize in one area or the other, but it is only when we concentrate on gaining knowledge and wisdom in all three areas equally that we are really able to see the bigger picture. Like puzzle pieces, they need to fit into each other to make a whole. The wisdom and knowledge in these fields is unlimited and we are now only really beginning to understand the magnitude of this fascinating realm. To become totally and holistically healthy in mind, body, and Spirit, we need to open our hearts and minds to learning all things new. What worked in the past may not necessarily be what works for today. We need to be open to constantly tweaking our lives in order to move forward into being the greatest expressions of who we were meant to be. When we have our health, we have more hope for our lives and our futures. We can accomplish more. We can feel more love for ourselves. We enjoy life, are happier, more joyful, and can have a positive outlook. When we work on mind, body, and Spirit together, they all weave into each other to make a beautiful tapestry of these magnificent and miraculous Spiritual and sacred beings that we are. How do we become healthy? What are the thoughts that we are thinking? Positive or negative? What are we putting into our bodies? Pure foods from the earth or cheap junk foods full of fake foods, chemicals, and preservatives? Are we consuming drugs (illegal or too many legal), alcohol, tobacco smoke, sugar, and other artificial substances? What addictions do we have? Do we have a spiritual practice whether it is religious or nature related? How are we feeding our souls? All these feed into our total health. Hippocrates said, “A wise man ought to realize that health is his most valuable possession.” And it should be because it is the temple for our souls. Michelle Longo O’Donnell said, “The Spirit of Life is that portion of the Being of God that formed all things, and causes all things to exist in harmony, balance, and perpetual order throughout all eternity.” If we really knew how glorious and magnificent we really were, we would take better care of ourselves to be the best and healthiest that we could be. We are a light onto the world and we deserve to be healthy, happy, and whole! Published in the Cookeville Herald Citizen newspaper September 5, 2014.

Several weeks ago, I attended an anti-bullying conference at TN Tech where I was introduced to a young high school girl by the name of Rachel Scott. Rachel was always reaching out to those who were different or who were being bullied, and she would go out of her way to make new students feel welcome. She said, “I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.” In her junior year of high school, she wrote an essay titled “My Ethics, My Codes of Life” where she talked about making a difference in the lives of others. Just by doing small things for people could greatly influence their behavior and outlook on life. She admired people such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, Mother Theresa, and others who were the greatest examples of love, compassion, and kindness. The person she admired the most was Anne Frank because in spite of her experiences, Miss Frank made a difference through the writing of her diary. Therefore, Rachel began writing her own diaries where she expressed her feelings, philosophies, and thoughts about how we can help make the world a better place. As Rachel stated, “I am sure that my codes of life may be very different from yours, but how do you know that trust, compassion, and beauty will not make this world a better place to be in and this life a better one to live? My codes may seem like a fantasy that can never be reached, but test them for yourself, and see the kind of effect they have in the lives of people around you. You just may start a chain reaction.” There are countless stories of how Rachel touched the lives of others. She once stood up for a boy with disabilities who was being bullied and became his friend. What she didn’t know was that before she did this, he was getting ready to kill himself. Her kindness gave him hope and he chose life. She was always looking for ways to bring kindness to those around her. She continues to change lives to this day except for one thing. Rachel is no longer with us. Rachel was the first person to die in the Columbine High School shootings. But her legacy lives on because those whose lives she touched organized Rachel’s Challenge where they present programs in schools and other venues teaching children and adults how to make a positive difference. (For more information, please go to www.rachelschallenge.org.) Friends, there are so many people of all ages in the world who are experiencing so much darkness for whatever reasons, and many are becoming desperate because they lose hope. Recently a friend of mine committed suicide and it was heartbreaking. People who kill themselves don’t necessarily want to die; they just want the darkness and pain to end, and all it takes is that one split-second decision of no return. Never take away a person’s hope because that may be all they have left. We need to lift people up and show them unconditional love and acceptance. We have got to stop judging, demonizing, and making people feel worthless or less than. All the great spiritual masters and teachers throughout history knew the importance of unconditional love. There is so much we can do to bring light to someone’s darkness. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” We need to teach our children starting as young as possible to treat people with kindness, to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, and to choose positive influences. By doing so, they can make a huge difference and be real life heroes. Leo Buscaglia said, “Only the weak are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong.” And I agree with Aesop when he stated, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Beginning today, let’s all start a chain reaction of kindness without expecting anything in return. If someone does ask how they can return the act of kindness, just ask them to pay it forward. Kindness is contagious; therefore, let’s spread it far and wide. By doing so, we can be the change we wish to see in the world. Published in the Cookeville Herald Citizen newspaper November 29, 2013.

The other day, I was taking a long walk down a country road on a gorgeous sunny day. I love being among nature, listening to the birds singing their melodies, and inhaling her fragrant perfumes. As I was walking, I looked down to see a beautiful butterfly that had apparently been hit by a car. It was laying on the road, its wings barely moving in the slight wind, probably hanging on between life and death. I carefully picked it up and gently laid it on a flowering bush while wishing it well on its journey into the next life. The Bible says that even a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without God knowing about it. I think that would include this small delicate butterfly. There is so much in Mother Nature for us to see and yet we take so much of it for granted. Have you ever stopped to marvel at the majesty of the trees? The marvelous flowers with their splendid colors and perfumes? The green grasses that embrace the earth with its splendor? The critters that run and play in and out of the brush and trees? The magnificent birds as they soar on the winds of the Universe’s breath? The glorious sun that watches over us and gives energy to all of life? The stars that glow and twinkle in the night sky? It’s all so awe-inspiring! Being among nature can bring so much peace and calmness when life gets to be chaotic. Mother Earth literally grounds us in her energy. That’s one reason I love Native American Spirituality so much. Indians are very much attached to the earth and know that she is a living, breathing being. Back in the early 70’s, I saw the movie “Billy Jack” about a half Navajo Indian who lives on a reservation and protects the Indians and school students on the rez. It was because of this movie that I fell in love with the Native people, their beliefs, and their culture. Later after graduating from high school, I thought I might like to be a missionary to the Indians. My church sponsored student missionaries to reservations in British Columbia to live with and minister to them. During my week of training in Vancouver, I was appalled to hear the missionaries calling the Indian people savages and thinking of them as almost less than human! I decided then and there I didn’t want anything to do with this form of prejudice and that I would live with the Indians and accept them just as they were. The very large family I lived with and I became very close and we keep in touch to this day. The missionary staff psychologist said I was the only student who did not have culture shock. I learned a great lesson in how important it is to love and accept people just as they are with no judgments. I found the American Indians to be a beautiful, extraordinary people and I love their culture and spirituality. They believe in a Great Spirit that is in everyone and everything. Their traditions and ceremonies are also wonderful. I’ve learned so much from them and will always be grateful to everything they have given me. Native Americans believe in the sacredness of all life. When we realize our connectedness to nature and each other, we realize that what affects one affects all. If everyone could only realize how much a part of each other we really are, then maybe, just maybe we could know peace. Black Elk said, "The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us." There is so much good to be learned from other religions, beliefs, and spiritual masters, and there’s no need to feel threatened by any differences. Director Gene Roddenberry (creator of “Star Trek”) stated it well when he said, “If man is to survive, he will have learned to take a delight in the essential differences between men and between cultures. He will learn that differences in ideas and attitudes are a delight, part of life's exciting variety, not something to fear.” Let’s learn to embrace the goodness of each other’s religions and beliefs without feeling threatened. Let’s stop fighting and arguing over who is right or wrong and trying to force our beliefs on everyone else. And let us learn from the Indians’ example and strive to live in peace and harmony with all people and all things on this beautiful Mother Earth. Published in the Cookeville Herald Citizen newspaper June 6, 2014.

Several weeks ago, I attended an anti-bullying conference at TN Tech where I was introduced to a young high school girl by the name of Rachel Scott. Rachel was always reaching out to those who were different or who were being bullied, and she would go out of her way to make new students feel welcome. She said, “I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.” In her junior year of high school, she wrote an essay titled “My Ethics, My Codes of Life” where she talked about making a difference in the lives of others. Just by doing small things for people could greatly influence their behavior and outlook on life. She admired people such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, Mother Theresa, and others who were the greatest examples of love, compassion, and kindness. The person she admired the most was Anne Frank because in spite of her experiences, Miss Frank made a difference through the writing of her diary. Therefore, Rachel began writing her own diaries where she expressed her feelings, philosophies, and thoughts about how we can help make the world a better place. As Rachel stated, “I am sure that my codes of life may be very different from yours, but how do you know that trust, compassion, and beauty will not make this world a better place to be in and this life a better one to live? My codes may seem like a fantasy that can never be reached, but test them for yourself, and see the kind of effect they have in the lives of people around you. You just may start a chain reaction.” There are countless stories of how Rachel touched the lives of others. She once stood up for a boy with disabilities who was being bullied and became his friend. What she didn’t know was that before she did this, he was getting ready to kill himself. Her kindness gave him hope and he chose life. She was always looking for ways to bring kindness to those around her. She continues to change lives to this day except for one thing. Rachel is no longer with us. Rachel was the first person to die in the Columbine High School shootings. But her legacy lives on because those whose lives she touched organized Rachel’s Challenge where they present programs in schools and other venues teaching children and adults how to make a positive difference. (For more information, please go to www.rachelschallenge.org.) Friends, there are so many people of all ages in the world who are experiencing so much darkness for whatever reasons, and many are becoming desperate because they lose hope. Recently a friend of mine committed suicide and it was heartbreaking. People who kill themselves don’t necessarily want to die; they just want the darkness and pain to end, and all it takes is that one split-second decision of no return. Never take away a person’s hope because that may be all they have left. We need to lift people up and show them unconditional love and acceptance. We have got to stop judging, demonizing, and making people feel worthless or less than. All the great spiritual masters and teachers throughout history knew the importance of unconditional love. There is so much we can do to bring light to someone’s darkness. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” We need to teach our children starting as young as possible to treat people with kindness, to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, and to choose positive influences. By doing so, they can make a huge difference and be real life heroes. Leo Buscaglia said, “Only the weak are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong.” And I agree with Aesop when he stated, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Beginning today, let’s all start a chain reaction of kindness without expecting anything in return. If someone does ask how they can return the act of kindness, just ask them to pay it forward. Kindness is contagious; therefore, let’s spread it far and wide. By doing so, we can be the change we wish to see in the world. Published in the Cookeville Herald Citizen newspaper November 29, 2013.

The Bible says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; …Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20) The above Bible verse calls it a temple, but depending upon your beliefs, you may use different terms. You may even just call it a vessel and that you are honoring life. Since beginning my spiritual journey, I have learned that our temple is made up of mind, body, and Spirit. In order to be totally healthy, it takes a balance in all three areas. When one is out of balance, it throws off the balance of the whole. For our minds, it begins with changing any negative thoughts to those that are positive and loving, not only for ourselves, but for others. Our thoughts are extremely powerful and we become what we think. We also need to be careful of the thoughts we think because those thoughts will manifest into the life we create for ourselves. The mind is a delicate entity that can break at the snap of a finger, and yet it is so strong that it can survive the most traumatic events. When we can quiet the mind, as some do through meditation and/or prayer, it helps alleviate stress and we can feel more calm and peaceful. We also need to take care of our physical bodies. There are so many people who are suffering from the most horrific health issues and my heart goes out to them. If we don’t begin taking care of ourselves now, at some point, we may end up losing our own health. To start, this means eating healthy and not putting non-nutritious foods or chemicals into our bodies. Easier said than done; I know. We don’t die of old age; we die of diseases and illnesses. The body has an amazing ability to heal itself and many health issues can be overcome just by changing our diet and lifestyle. Dr. Emmet Oz said, “Real wellness is much more than the lack of disease. Health is about vitality and vigor and energy. It’s about excelling at the many challenges that face humans daily.” Besides eating healthy foods, the body needs to be exercised and moved on a consistent basis if we are able. We don’t need to be fanatical about it, but the more we do for our bodies, the healthier we will be. Spiritually, Jesus repeatedly said that the Kingdom of heaven is within you. Everything we need to know is within, but sometimes we need to read other’s writings or listen to others speak so that we can remember. We can go directly to Spirit for our answers and learn the truth of who we really are. Being healthy spiritually also includes being loving, compassionate, kind, and having an attitude of gratitude. Oprah Winfrey said, “It isn’t until you come to a spiritual understanding of who you are – not necessarily a religious feeling, but deep down, the spirit within – that you can begin to take control.” It is our right to be healthy in all three areas that make up the whole, but until we really believe the magnitude of who we really are, we will always find excuses to neglect taking good care of these earthly vessels. It is up to us to be proactive in all areas of our health. Regardless of our religious or belief systems, we are all living miracles and that’s pretty awe inspiring. So many of us take our good health for granted and it is only when we lose our health that we come to the realization just how sacred our bodies really are, and then we wish we could go back and do things differently. We only have this one body while gracing the earth with our souls. Love it, nurture it, and strive for it to be its healthiest in mind, body, and Spirit. You deserve to be the best that you can be! Published in the Cookeville Herald Citizen newspaper August 16, 2013.